Significant Cases
Mr. Morris has achieved several results through settlement or trial of over one million dollars. Many of these cases include confidentiality agreements to protect the clients. A few cases recently handled by James Morris include:
Truck Accidents
The family of a motorist killed by a negligent Tractor-Trailer driver accepted $1.55 million dollars.
We represented the family of a man killed in a collision caused by a tractor trailer operator crossing the center line while engaging in an unsafe pass. The family sought to recover for the loss of income and benefits the father provided to the wife and children. The lawsuit was brought in Federal Court. We retained experts to examine the cause of the accident and to collect the data contained in the black box recorders in the tractor and automobile. This evidence, along with evidence from the employer and an economist concerning the loss of wages and benefits was presented in a mediation proceeding. The insurance carrier for the Trucking company paid the settlement.
Our client sustained a traumatic head injury in a collision with a box truck. The client recovered the $1 million in insurance coverage.
We represented a woman after her vehicle was struck by a delivery truck. She suffered a significant head injury resulting in treatment in a rehabilitation facility for a significant length of time. The recovery helped to pay the significant medical bills.
Passenger injured by negligent tractor trailer driver accepts $475,000 settlement
Our office represented a woman passenger in a vehicle who was injured when a tractor trailer operator turned into her vehicle’s lane causing the collision. She suffered spinal injuries resulting in a cervical fusion surgery. She also sustained a loss of earnings. This case was enhanced by a significant accident investigation by a design expert regarding the construction and traffic flow of the area where the accident occurred.
Automobile Accidents
Passenger accepts $775,000 after a crash caused by a drunk driver
A female passenger suffered a neck injuries in an Amherst automobile accident. She received a structured settlement that will pay her approximately $2 million with a present value of $775,000. The insurance carriers for the drivers paid the settlement.
A female driver accepts $380,000 for a significant back injury
The woman who sustained the injury received the compensation after a lawsuit, which resolved just prior to trial. The insurance carrier for the negligent driver paid the settlement.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome recovery over $1 million
Our client was injured in an automobile accident. The injuries resulted in the development of complex regional pain syndrome. James Morris and an associate lawyer gathered evidence from a number of experts, including doctors, a vocational rehabilitation expert and an economist. This evidence was successfully presented in mediation to achieve a settlement to compensate the client for the costs of past and future medical care, and for pain and disability. Mr. Morris has experience in presenting the complicated and often disputed diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome.
A male driver recovered $300,000 for back injuries
A lawsuit was filed, and following discovery, including depositions of the parties, the defendant's insurance carrier paid the entire policy limits.
A male driver awarded $275,000 by an arbitrator in a supplemental underinsurance claim against his own insurance company
He suffered significant rib and lung injuries. The plaintiff had previously been paid $25,000 by the defendant's insurance company. The client's insurance carrier refused to make any payment prior to the arbitration.
A female pedestrian awarded $225,000 by an arbitrator in a supplemental underinsurance claim against her own automobile insurance company
The plaintiff had previously been paid $25,000 by the driver's insurance company. Her insurance company had initially refused to make any payment for spinal injuries she sustained when struck by the defendant's vehicle.
A male driver accepts $205,000 after a crash caused by a driver who ran a stop sign
The male driver suffered neck and hip injuries. This case was resolved, and the insurance carrier paid the settlement after extensive negotiations.
Motorcycle Accident
Young man accepts $470,000 settlement after suffering significant leg and foot injuries when negligent driver turned in front of him
We represented a man who was riding his motorcycle when another driver pulled in front of him causing a collision. Our client sustained significant foot and leg injuries requiring surgery. The claim was for his injuries and loss of earnings. The client had significant medical bills and a medical lien. We were able to locate additional insurance and we brought claims against the motor vehicle driver and two insurance companies.
Labor Law
Painter injured in fall at work awarded $1.6 million
Mr. Morris and co-counsel conducted a full trial resulting in the award. A claim of violation of section 240 (1) of the Labor Law was proven. An economist and a vocational rehabilitation expert were retained and testified to prove claims related to our client’s lost wages, benefits and disability.
A seriously injured apprentice electrician received $825,000 following extensive litigation and settlement negotiations.
Our client was injured in a fall caused during construction by a violation of the New York Labor Law section 240 (1). The defendant corporation failed to provide proper protection for the work performed on an elevated worksite resulting in serious back injuries and surgery. Proof was presented in support of the violations of the workplace safety statutes and regulations. Our client was compensated for his injuries and lost wages. The award was paid by the insurance carrier for the responsible corporation.
Airplane Crash
Passenger receives settlement in skydiving plane crash
*The amount of the settlement was not disclosed pursuant to the client's request.
Mr. Morris successfully represented a Buffalo area woman who was seriously injured in a skydiving airplane crash in Tennessee. The plane crashed during takeoff as a result of a failure to maintain the plane's engines. Mr. Morris investigated the case and retained an aviation expert who reviewed the cause of the crash. Mr. Morris met with witnesses and counsel in Tennessee. The case was sued with the involvement of Tennessee counsel. Mr. Morris prepared the client for depositions and accompanied the client in depositions in the case. The case was resolved before a judge following a lengthy mediation process handled by Mr. Morris in conjunction with Tennessee local counsel. The settlement included payment of the full policy limits of the insurance policy on the plane and additional payments.
Nursing Home Neglect
A family accepts $250,000 for the neglect of a seventy-seven year old nursing home resident
The patient was not properly cared for, resulting in large bedsores that became infected and hastened his death.
Injured Child
Mother accepts $225,000 and $50,000 on behalf of her two children injured in a car accident
Two young female passengers suffered injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The insurance carrier for the driver paid the settlements after a lawsuit and a mediation hearing.
Dog Attack
A child is awarded $125,000 in a settlement for injuries sustained as the result of being attacked by a dog
The insurance carrier for the landlord paid the settlement as the dog owner was uninsured. An extensive investigation was required to prove the landlord had knowledge of the dog's vicious nature.
Slip and Fall
A female accepts $190,000 for a neck injury sustained from a fall on the ice
This settlement was reached at a mediation hearing after a lawsuit was filed and prior to trial. The insurance carriers for the negligent property owner and maintenance company paid the settlement.
Burns and Scars
An infant burn victim received a $175,000 settlement
The insurance carrier initially disclaimed coverage. Our office brought a declaratory judgment action resulting in a finding of coverage, which eventually led to the settlement for the child.
Police Brutality and Prisoner’s Rights Cases
Mr. Morris has successfully handled cases involving police brutality. He has handled cases where prisoners were injured in prison due to negligence or the failure to provide proper medical care. The settlements in these cases were confidential.